Ebbsfleet United manager Josh Wright reacts to 3-1 defeat at Grimsby Town in the FA Cup first round

Ebbsfleet boss Josh Wright was more aggrieved by the penalty that never was rather than a game-changing red card on Saturday.

The Fleet were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first round stage by League 2 Grimsby, despite taking a first-half lead.

The game was effectively decided in a 60-second spell just before half-time when the Fleet were denied a blatant penalty. Within moments, they were reduced to 10 men.

"The one that frustrates me the most is the penalty," said Wright, on the challenge that saw Charlie Seaman clearly upended in the box.

"It's clear as day, and I'm sure their staff won't mind me saying this. They've said it's one of the worst decisions they've seen.

"At that stage, who knows? Do we score the penalty or do we not? But it's a penalty to go 2-0 up right on half time. Before you know it, we're down to 10 men."

On the red card for Ben Chapman, who appeared to pull out of the challenge and made little - if any - contact, Wright said: "Is it a red card? At the time, I thought it wasn't.

"Looking back at it, the height obviously of where Chapo's foot is, but I don't see it as malicious. He hasn't hurt the boy. I understand what happens in games and how players are.

"But that was a real, real game-defining moment."

When asked what was said by the officials, Wright added: "I had a quick chat with him (the referee) at half-time. I'm not massive unless you've got to try and hold your emotion, but I'm not massive on what you can get from speaking to them.

"Will we get an apology? Maybe. Will we not? I'm not sure. He feels his (Charlie's) own leg caught his other leg and went over, so basically he's clipped his own legs. We never see that. I don't think anyone did.

"Everyone was just expecting the whistle to go